what does high ability in RE look like?

- to be able to construct and sustain a complex argument

- to be able to present a sustainable counter-argument

- to be able to appreciate that conclusions might be interim and that one's evaluation of them might change with greater knowledge, understanding and experience

- to have the courage to take adventurous steps in learning

- to be able to use personal experiences and insights in your work
- to be able to raise questions

- to be able to recognise how one subject area relates to other subject areas (e.g. religion and science, religion and history, or religion and art)

- to avoid making generalised statements which you can't support (e.g. 'all christians believe' or 'religion is the cause of all evil')

"Explain how Christians may respond if they see other people being treated badly by the government?"

Example answer:
Christians believe that all people are equally valuable to God and therefore any form of injustice is wrong, especially by a government. The Christian response would be to speak out against this government's injustice towards its people. They might do this through protests, petitiions and marches to show the government that they believe they acting wrongly. For example Martin Luther King's campaign for civil rights in America. Some Christians believe in liberation theology, which is a movement that says God is on the side of the poor and the oppressed and that Christians should act to make the world a fairer place. This might sometimes result in the use of violence if Christians believe it might bring a more just society. Liberation theology started in South America in the 1970s and 80s where the governments in the different countries treated their people very badly.

stuff on liberation theology

Today's Independent newspaper's big question is all about liberation theology for those interested.

And someone else explains what it's all about here:

One of the major trends in contemporary theology 30 plus years ago was the rise of liberation theology, in various forms. I suppose that makes it no longer quite so contemporary. Of all the branches of this theology, its most influential form came out of Latin and South America and involved a variety of Catholic and Protestant writers, some of whose names are still very well known-- for example Leonardo Boff (Brazil), Gustavo Guttierez (Peru), Jon Sobrino (El Salvador). This theology arose as a response to the extreme poverty of many Christians and others in these regions, and the oppressive dictatorships and regimes that kept wealth in the hands of the few, while leaving millions of residents in these countries in abject poverty.
In essence, Latin and South American liberation theology had as its major theme that God had a special concern for the poor and oppressed, which is true enough, and that the church itself should reflect God's agenda which was understood to involve "a preferential option for the poor". But this theology was not content to simply deal in depth with what the Bible has to say about poverty and wealth. It welded such materials to a Marxist liberation schema, involving political action of various sorts, and in some cases even supported Marxist guerrillas in some countries, in their opposition to the governments of the region.

Archbishop of Canterbury on Euthanasia

Last year in July the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote this letter with other Christian and Jewish leaders against a government bill that try to make legal some forms of euthansaia. I've highlighted the different arguments against euthanasia.

Sir,

Today the House of Lords will debate the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill. We are opposed to this Bill and to any measure that seeks to legalise assisted suicide or euthanasia. We believe that all human life is sacred and God-given with a value that is inherent, not conditional. We urge legislators to withhold support for this Bill so as to ensure that British law continues to safeguard the principle that the intention to kill, or assist in the killing, of an innocent human being is wrong.

Compassion for the terminally ill is incumbent on all of us, but in that respect we believe that the Bill is misguided. Such a Bill cannot guarantee that a right to die would not, for society's most vulnerable, become a duty to die. Were such a law enacted, the elderly, lonely, sick or distressed would find themselves under pressure, real or imagined, to ask for an early death. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that economic pressures might not come to play a significant part in determining whether to treat or recommend assisted death.

...

We particularly acknowledge the opposition to a change in the law from disability groups and from the majority in the medical profession, especially those committed to providing palliative care (e.g. hospices). In helping the terminally ill to face their fears, and by relieving their pain and suffering, palliative care workers are integral to securing the dignity of those nearing death. We believe, therefore, that properly funded and universally accessible palliative care services are essential for meeting the needs - material, emotional and spiritual - of those with terminal illnesses, and we urge the government to recognise the need for greater funding for palliative care.

The Most Reverend and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster
Sir Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth

Some possible answers to human relationship questions

Describe Christian beliefs about divorce:
Possible answers might include: different christian views; mention that divorce is never encouraged by christians, but some accept it is sometimes inevitable; might mention that some christians that marriage cannot be broken because it is a union made before God and blessed by God and can only be broken by death; might comment on Jesus permitting divorce on the grounds of adultery

Explain how a Christian marriage service might help a couple in their married life:
Possible answers might include: emphasis on marriage for life, on faithfulness and marriage blessed by God; might also discuss the expectation of the couple to have children as one of the purposes of marriage

Explain the importance of the vows made at a marriage service:
Possible answers might include: the significance of vows being made before God, how the vows emphasise faithfulness, support, love and how they might help the couple in the future, how the vows don't permit divorce ('until death do us part')

Some possible answers to medical ethics questions

Describe Christian attitudes towards abortion:
Possible answers might include: Roman Catholic and other Christian views; biblical references in support; some consideration of issues to do with sanctity of life, ensoulment and quickening

Explain how a Christian might respond to someone who wants to commit suicide:
Possible answers might include: mention that people need support and help and not blame; arguments about compassion and sanctity of life (life is a gift, precious, not to be destroyed, treated with respect) might be made; might mention christian views on euthanasia; might mention traditional christian views on euthanasia (it's a sin)

Explain Christian attitudes to the use of animals in medical research:
Possible answers might include: consider issues of equality, benefits to humans; how christians should treat animals; might mention what the Bible says

Some example answers to poverty and wealth questions

Explain why a Christian might give to charity:
Possible answers to include: the command 'to love one's neighbour'; Jesus' teaching about wealth; duty to follow the example of Jesus in showing concern for the poor

Describe Christian teachings about money:
Possible answers to include: the story of the widow's mite, the rich young man. Answers might also mention the importance of not wasting money on luxuries and stress the idea of moderation

'It does not matter how you earn your money' Do you agree?
Possible answers to include: occupations that Christians see as immoral or why some against working on a Sunday. Other views might include the importance of providing for a family, which might be more important than how money is earnt